Today brings an update on the James Beard Award nominations, as the large field of semifinalists got narrowed down to finalists.
With winners to be announced on May 7, Seattle can be proud that perennial candidate Tom Douglas is again in the running for Outstanding Restaurateur. But again this year, Portland outflanks our city in terms of finalists in the Best Chef Northwest category:
- Matt Dillon, Sitka and Spruce, Seattle
- Jason Franey, Canlis, Seattle
- Christopher Israel, Grüner, Portland
- Naomi Pomeroy, Beast, Portland
- Cathy Whims, Nostrana, Portland
This is again a tough field. I give early odds to Franey as the favorite, though Cathy Whims could provide an upset. I’ve enjoyed her food at Nostrana, and plan to check out her new Oven & Shaker in the next few days. Look for a report on that and my volcanic hamburger at Grüner in the next few weeks.
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Jay Friedman
Food and Travel Jay Friedman, gastronaut, is one of the most intriguing and innovative food and travel writers in Seattle. You may know him from Seattle Weekly’s "Sexy Feast" column (Jay is a unique combination of food writer and professional sex educator) or City Arts’ “Dish-Off," in which he challenged chefs to create meals based on songs. (Jay is also a former disc jockey!) He is also a regular contributor to the national Serious Eats blog, and is the co-editor/author of the Fearless Critic Seattle restaurant guide. Jay travels extensively and shares his hedonistic adventures in occasional “Passport to Pleasure” pieces. When not eating out or writing about it, he is most likely in the kitchen making biang-biang noodles, bibimbap, or anything with offal. You can find most of Jay’s writing at his personal blog, Gastrolust. View all posts by Jay Friedman
